Friday, November 8, 2013

Happy Music by James Last

Way back in the seventies we had a few records of James Last among the collection of LP and EP.




What I remember was that we used to play more of James Last than the ones by Abba or Boney M. The reason could be that all his music was “Happy Music”

A German boy who ran messages to Air Defence command posts during air raids in WW-II, he has come a long way in his 84 years of career.


After the fall of the Nazis, he joined the Hans-Gunther Dance Orchestra.


From there his chart was on the rise.

One of the hallmarks of James Last is that he does not give up on his troupe members. That is the reason why you see many elderly members in his troupe at any given time.


But even if they are slightly older, their spirit and enthusiasm is never dampened as can be seen in the video below.

He has done shows with other stalwarts like Richard Clayderman, Abba, and the like.



All his earlier records had this font and it was easy to spot his record from far in a music store.


His 1965 LP Non Stop Dancing was his very first big hit.

‘Hansi’ (as he was earlier known) tried this idea of including the party effect of people clapping and laughing into his records. This was something he picked up as a boy while listening to the radio.

His dress sense may look outlandish but I presume that is his idea to make his shows more colourful and lively.



"I have always made music, which I liked and then I realised that lots of people like what I like. I play only what I like, otherwise I would lie to myself and lie to the audience. I must enjoy what I'm doing and then there's a good feel on stage and if people come to the show they can say, "oh yeah, they like what they are doing, it's fun." We enjoy what we are doing on stage and that's why the concerts still sell out. The audience can see that we enjoy what we are doing then it goes over to them as well."

When he crossed 80, he came out with a new record titled “80 Not Out”



No wonder he has sold seven million albums worldwide in his lifetime. 

His live shows still manage to get a lot of audience



His advice to others: “take care of your life, make the best of it and enjoy music”

I have this video (The Mexican Hat Dance) on my cell phone and often watch it when I am in the mood for something peppy. 

Nothing like music to lift your mood. 


35 comments:

Anonymous said...

No party was complete without James Last.....really happy music for non-stop dancing.Have to see the Mexican dance you have,Thanks for great info and photos...Cindy

Anonymous said...

Just managed to view the video...happy. Cindy

Anonymous said...

Great music for dancing especially the jive- Ivan

Draffin Bears said...

Interesting review on James Last and thanks for sharing.

Rowan | R E D R E I D I N G H O O D said...

He rocks!

Love,

Rowan


Personal Style Blog WWW.REDREIDINGHOOD.COM
PS: Don’t forget to enter my GIVEAWAY in order to win a pair of jeans from The Sting of your own choice!

Linda at To Behold The Beauty said...

I wasn't familiar with this artist; but, after watching the video, I can see why you like him. He's very entertaining, and his music is indeed peppy!

Akelamalu said...

Interesting post, I quite like James Last.

Susan York Meyers said...

"Happy music" - I like that:-) There's nothing better than happy music to lift your mood, especially if you are in the privacy of your living room and can dance along.

Connie Arnold said...

I didn't know about him but appreciate your sharing the interesting post!

Susan said...

It's true that music does have the ability to lift one's soul-----especially happy music!

Thanks so much for visiting my blog today! Susan

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

A new entertainer to me -- he sure doesn't let age slow him down ... a good example to us all. fun video.

Karen Xavier said...

Oh, my dad used to play his cassettes all the time... that is what I remember growing up, nice peppy numbers that made you wanna dance. He sure is one of a kind, James Last... I should check out his recent album.

Connie said...

I've never heard of this artist, but I enjoyed learning about him. I liked the video too. That was happy music, and it puts you in a good mood to listen to it. :)

Linda W. said...

Thanks for visiting my blog! Always nice to hear from people on the other side of the world. Have a great day.

Anita said...

What do they say about music... that it is an international language. so true!
I enjoyed the story of James Last and the video.

Anonymous said...

James Last was meant to last till the last. 80 and still last. His music will always last. I have an LP (Papa Joe's Party). We danced the night away with James last music...John Marcedo

Carla from The River said...

Very interesting.
I agree music is the international language.

Gattina said...

I listened to James Last too in the 70th what I didn't know was that he was a compatriote of me, lol !

Our Neck of the Woods said...

Interesting to read this history. Music can unite everyone!

Ankita said...

Nice post! i loved loved ABBA and Boney M..awesome!
:)

Augustine Xavier said...

Thanks Joe for introducing James Last to all of us. I have danced to the party favs but did not realise nor knew it was JL music. My encounter with d super star becoz of U. thanks.

George said...

Thanks for the introduction to James Last. I was not familiar with him before this.

Li said...

I have a James Last CD :-) Thank you for the biographical information, I knew nothing of his early life!

Optimistic Existentialist said...

I need to introduce myself to his music!

Pallavi said...

Music makes the world go round :) Interesting post Joe. Thanks for introducing his music to us.

kyooty said...

Wow! the 70's didn't die yet. :) I'm loving that suit in the painting photo.

kyooty said...

I meant the blue suit in the photo before the Painting.

Anonymous said...

Great blog..very insightful...enjoyed reading..regards Joellan.

Hilary said...

James Last.. a blast from the past. I didn't intend for that to rhyme. ;)

padmaja said...

Age is mere a number, the passion, the drive, the zest and the spirit matters and it can be so uplifting. Thanks for this wonderful post, glad I could visit here today!

Red Handed said...

Thank u for this. Now I hate myself for myself out on him.

Kristina said...

Thanks for the comment on my blog! Wow, I have never heard of James Last but now I think I might have to check him out.

Alka Gurha said...

Music is the best medicine for a bad mood. Never heard him. Will do now.

Carolyn said...

I have never heard of him... love this video! it is indeed happy! so glad to meet you ;)

Anonymous said...

Hi Joe........ hmmmm......havnt heard James Last for a long time but now will look for his songs right now :).....thanks for the informative article...Love to you both...Jessie